Criffel may be only 569 metres high, but its modest altitude belies its prominence, rising as the highest hill for miles around and dominating the Solway coastline. The ascent is short but steep and rewarded with stunning views of the Solway, its estuaries and across to the English Lake District.
Excellent path throughout.
None to start.
Ardwall car park.
There is a walkers car park at the end of the unsigned minor road to Ardwall. From the car park entrance, cross the track to the farm and go through the kissing gate opposite, signed 'Public path'. After a short distance take a track which branches to the right (waymarker post) and continue to a gate at the entrance to the forest.
Go through the gate and bear slightly right onto the start of an excellent newly constructed footpath. This climbs, gently at first, though the trees - this area was once planted with dense spruces but these have recently been felled and replaced with native trees. Soon the path reaches a track, with a signpost indicating 'New Abbey' to the right. Go straight across the track to continue up the path.
The path continues climbing, with the tumbling Craigrockall Burn on the right. Further up another track is reached - again go straight across this. Later, ignore a footbridge and stay on the main path until the top edge of the forestry is reached.
The well-constructed path bears left up the open slopes, taking a few wide zig-zags as it continues towards the top of Criffel. There are ever-improving views looking back over Loch Kindar and the Nith Estuary beyond.
As the ground begins to level off a rough path joins in from the right (this is the descent route from Criffel to New Abbey. The massive summit cairn - known as Douglas's Cairn - is a short distance beyond, with the trig point just over to its right. Criffel is unmatched as a viewpoint for the Solway Firth and the estuaries of its rivers, as well as looking across to the English Lake District, with Skiddaw the most prominent peak.
If returning to the start point, the return walk is back the same way, now with the advantage of the beautiful views ahead.
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